The "Man from U.N.C.L.E." movie is on its way, based on the 1960s TV series. It should be released in 2015. The original was a guilty pleasure of my childhood. With my Secret Sam briefcase sniper rifle toy gun I fancied myself to be Illya Kuryakin.
In the '60s. the Bond formula spawned some similar movie and TV series.
Dean Martin as the womanizing "Matt Helm." There were 4 movies released from 1966 to 1968; "The Silencers", "Murder's Row", "The Ambushers", and "The Wrecking Crew." Since Matt Helm's cover was as a fashion photographer, I'm pretty sure that the character was at least in part the inspiration for Mike Myers character "Austin Powers."
James Coburn played American secret agent "Derek Flint" in "Our Man Flint" and "In Like Flint." It was campy on purpose and could legitimately be taken as a parody of the genre. He worked for an organization called Z.O.W.I.E.. Yes, seriously, and seriously over the top.
And if I'm going back that far then I really can't leave out "The Avengers"; Patrick MacNee as umbrella wielding British agent "John Steed" and a succession of high-kicking female agents (Honor Blackman, Diana Rigg, and Linda Thorson). Forget the mid '70s revival attempt "The New Avengers", which I believe was filmed largely in Canada, and excellently cast but horribly directed movie from 1998. Utter crap.
